Abstract: Apparatus and a method for deploying a wireline tool in a borehole. The apparatus comprises a wireline cable which is connected at a first end at the surface and is releasably connected at a second end to a first end of an umbilical cable via a first connection means. A second end of the umbilical cable is releasably connected to the logging head of a wireline tool via a first latching means, wherein the logging head provides for mechanical and electrical connection between the wireline tool and the wireline cable via the umbilical cable. The umbilical cable is surrounded by umbilical pipe downhole, and the logging head also provides for mechanical and hydraulic connection between the umbilical pipe and the wireline tool. The wireline tool is releasable from connection with the umbilical cable by a release means in the first latching means, and is capable of being pulled through the first latching means and through the umbilical pipe so that it is retrievable from the borehole.

Abstract: An embodiment of an assembly for setting an inflatable packer within a wellbore comprises a coiled tubing, an inflatable packer to be set in a wellbore, a back pressure valve, and a drain valve operable to allow fluid flow therepast and prevent inadvertent inflation of the inflatable packer.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process that is integrated with a synthesis gas generation process, such as gasification or methane reforming, involving combined capture and recycle of carbon dioxide from both processes.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process that is integrated with a synthesis gas generation process, such as gasification or methane reforming, involving combined capture and recycle of carbon dioxide from both processes.

Abstract: A sod harvester for cutting sod strips from a ground surface while leaving an uncut strip between at least two sod strips. The sod harvester includes a mounting frame and a number of cutting heads connected to the mounting frame. The cutting heads are positioned transversely to the path of travel for cutting the sod strips. At least two cutting heads are spaced apart by the width of the uncut strip. A conveyor is located behind the cutting heads for transporting the strips upwardly and rearwardly from the cutting heads.

Abstract: A machine for aerating soil has a frame. A gear box is attached to the frame. A crank assembly is driven by the gear box. A parallel arm is pivotally attached to the crank assembly by a crank arm and is pivotally attached to the frame. A tine assembly arm is pivotally attached to the frame and is pivotally attached to the parallel arm at a fixed point. A rigid tine holder is pivotally attached to the tine assembly arm and is pivotally attached to the parallel arm and extends beyond the parallel arm. The connection of the tine assembly arm, parallel arm and tine holder to the crank assembly ensure that the tines are driven straight into the soil. The lack of arc ensures that the turf surface is minimally disturbed.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for weed elimination using a manually operable weed stomping tool that is comprised of a handle, an elongated shaft, a footrest, and a weed stomping bit that has a cutting edge. When the weed stomping bit is positioned on the ground over the center of a weed and downward pressure is applied, either by pushing on the handle or stepping on the footrest, the weed stomping bit is forced into the ground while simultaneously the cutting edge of the weed stomping bit severs the weed's foliage from the stem and the weed stomping bit crushes the weed stalk and attendant root structure to a depth below grade.

Abstract: A dozing blade assembly includes a dozing blade, and a cutter mounted to the dozing blade. The cutter includes a compound digging face extending between a proximal edge and a distal edge. The compound digging face has a steeply oriented center segment, and shallowly oriented outer segments, for balancing downward penetration with forward pushability during moving the dozing blade assembly through material of a substrate.

Abstract: A tool supporting bar for supporting tools on an implement is disclosed and comprises an elongated tubular perimeter wall defining an interior and including a side wall portion. The bar includes a reinforcing wall located in the interior of the perimeter wall and mounted on the perimeter wall in a manner effective to increase bending resistance of the perimeter wall to a force applied in a direction normal to a plane of one of the side wall portion. A method of forming a tool bar comprises providing an elongated tubular perimeter wall defining an interior and including a one side wall portion; positioning a reinforcing wall in the interior of the perimeter wall; and mounting the reinforcing wall on the perimeter wall in a manner effective to increase bending resistance of the perimeter wall to a force applied in a direction normal to a plane of the side wall portion.

Abstract: An electrical tool (1) includes an electric motor (3), a fan wheel (4) that is connected in torque-proof manner to a drive shaft (8) of the electric motor (3) disposed within a housing (2) that includes at least one air inlet aperture (6) and at least one air outlet aperture (7). The at least one air outlet aperture (7) is arranged axially apart from the fan wheel (4) with regard to the axis of rotation (10) of the drive shaft (8). An air guide baffle ring (11) encloses the fan wheel (4) coaxially and has at least one air duct (12) which leads to at least one air outlet aperture (7) located axially at a distance from the fan wheel (4) for cooling the electric tool (1).

Abstract: An assembly for drilling and logging includes a device for electro pulse drilling (EPD device), at least one device to receive acoustic signals generated by the EPD device, distinguished in that the assembly further includes at least one device to receive electromagnetic signals generated by the EPD device. A method for drilling and logging, and device for electro pulse drilling.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a garden auger comprising a shank and an auger body. The auger body comprises a leading end and a trailing end including a space therebetween. The auger body is substantially radial including at least two legs connecting the trailing end and the leading end. The leading end has a cutter including a plurality of teeth forming a cutting diameter. The plurality of teeth each have a tip extending from the leading end, wherein the tips form a plane that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the garden auger. The auger body is attached to the shank to prevent rotation therebetween. The shank comprises an attachment portion for attachment to a drill motor.

Abstract: A system for drilling a wellbore into an earth formation comprises an expandable tubular element extending into the wellbore, wherein a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to define an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element. The expanded tubular section is extendable by downward movement of the remaining tubular section relative to the expanded tubular section whereby said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A drill string extends through the remaining tubular section into the wellbore, such that a space is formed between the drill string and the remaining tubular section, and the system further comprises sealing means arranged to seal said space from an open-hole lower section of the wellbore.

Abstract: A distance holder for connection to, and rotation with, a drill string in an earth formation drilling device arranged to supply a jet of abrasive fluid for the purpose of providing a borehole by removing earth formation material through abrasion, comprises a chamber that is essentially rotational symmetric and which faces the earth formation material, and a jet nozzle arranged for discharging a jet of the abrasive fluid in the chamber. The chamber comprises a deflector positioned in the path of the fluid jet discharged from the jet nozzle.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies including a superabrasive cutting element that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, enclosed in an enclosure that restricts rotation of the superabrasive cutting element, or combinations of the foregoing. Additionally, some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies in which a superabrasive cutting element is mechanically fastened to a base, such as a substrate or directly to a bit body of a rotary drill bit. Some embodiments also relate to cutting element assemblies including one or more superabrasive cutting elements that are rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the cutting element assembly, that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, that may be enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Earth-boring tools comprise a face and a plurality of cutting elements disposed on at least a portion of the face. An impact material is positioned on at least one portion of a body and has a relative exposure equal to or greater than at least some of the cutting elements of the plurality of cutting elements. The impact material comprises a material having a lower abrasion resistance than the body. Methods of making and methods of using such earth-boring tools.

Abstract: An accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set having first, second, and third members. A torque transfer device operatively connects an engine with the first member. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the second member. A plurality of vehicle accessories are operatively connected to the third member. A one-way clutch is operatively connected to either the first member of the planetary gear set or the torque transfer device. The one-way clutch is also selectively connected to a stationary member via a breakaway clutch configured to slip when either the input torque exceeds a threshold value or the direction of rotation is opposite of the driving direction. Engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories at a selectable rate, and the motor/generator is controllable to run the accessories while the engine is off and while restarting the engine.

Abstract: A disclosed hybrid-type construction machine includes a generator part configured to generate electric energy by the driving force of an engine; an inverter configured to control the generator part; an electric power accumulator configured to accumulate the electric energy generated by the generator part; a DC bus located between the generator part and the electric power accumulator; and a converter configured to control a voltage of the DC bus, wherein when the electric power accumulator having approximately zero electric energy is charged the inverter of the generator part is not controlled, and a reference value of a voltage command for the DC bus to charge the electric power accumulator is set to be smaller than an induced voltage of the generator part.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system and a method of its operation are described. As one example, the vehicle propulsion system includes a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The method may include starting the engine responsive to different criteria, including criteria related to potential degradation effects that may occur due to excessive durations of engine off vehicle operation.

Abstract: A fluid pressure brake unit generates a friction braking force by supplying an operating fluid to a wheel cylinder provided to each wheel of a vehicle so as to press a brake pad against the wheel. A regenerative brake unit generates a regenerative braking force by electric power regeneration to a motor that drives the wheel. A battery collects electric power from the motor. A low-temperature determination unit determines that the temperature of the battery is low when the temperature of the battery is below a predetermined temperature range. A battery temperature increasing unit generates, when the temperature of the battery is determined to be low, a braking force to the vehicle by at least either a fluid pressure brake unit or a regenerative brake unit during acceleration of the vehicle by the motor or the engine.

Abstract: An electric drive module for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor assembly having a cartridge housing containing a stator, a rotor, and a rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is supported by the cartridge housing. The electric motor assembly is positioned within an axle housing. A reduction unit includes an input member being driven by the rotor shaft and includes an output member driven at a reduced speed relative to the input member. A differential assembly includes an input driven by the output member, a first differential output driving a first output shaft, and a second differential output driving a second output shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission fluid cooler system includes a transmission fluid cooler and an airflow ducting assembly engaged therewith. The airflow ducting assembly is provided to increase the amount of airflow directed toward the transmission fluid cooler so as to improve the cooling performance thereof, and includes a dam member, a duct member, and air guides. The duct member forms a passage communicating an airflow inlet opening with an airflow outlet opening. The dam member operates to scoop and direct airflow into the airflow inlet opening, and the air guides cooperate with the dam member to increase the amount of airflow scooped by the dam member which is directed into the airflow inlet opening. The airflow outlet opening is positioned to direct the airflow which has passed through the duct member to the transmission fluid cooler.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of an airstream through a compartment includes a panel configured to cover the compartment. The system also includes a first opening defined by the compartment and configured to permit the airstream to enter the covered compartment from the ambient when the compartment is covered by the panel. The system also includes a second opening defined by the panel and configured to permit at least a portion of the airstream to exit the covered compartment to the ambient. The system additionally includes a selectable position shutter assembly configured to control the size of the second opening and adjust a flow rate of the airstream through the covered compartment. A vehicle employing the shutter assembly to vary a flow rate of at least a portion of an airstream through the vehicle's under-hood area is also disclosed.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle has a frame, a cockpit area, a roll cage, driver and passenger seats disposed side-by-side, an engine, four wheels, and a steering device. A throttle pedal is disposed forwardly of the driver seat below the steering device. A throttle pedal position sensor senses a position of the pedal and is connected to a control unit for sending a throttle pedal position signal to the control unit. A throttle body, having a valve, is fluidly connected to an air intake conduit that is fluidly connected to the engine. An electric motor is operatively connected to the valve for positioning the valve. The control unit controls an operation of the electric motor based at least in part on the throttle pedal position signal. The electric motor is disposed rearwardly of the throttle pedal position sensor and forwardly of the engine.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a vehicle includes a cooling module connected to the cooling apparatus through a cooling line to cool a driving system. The cooling module includes, according to the amount of heat transfer and operation temperature, an aircon condenser disposed behind of a radiator grill. A radiator for an electromotive device is disposed in parallel under the aircon condenser behind of a bumper hole through which a large amount of outside air is introduced. A radiator for a stack is disposed behind of the aircon condenser, and a radiator for an electromotive device is disposed in parallel. A cooling fan is disposed behind of the radiator for a stack. The cooling apparatus includes an air guide unit mounted in front of the aircon condenser and the radiator for an electromotive device, the air guide unit preventing the bypassing of outside air introduced during operation of a vehicle while distributing and introducing the outside air.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a first cooling group for cooling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, the group including a first device for cooling an engine coolant and a second device for cooling supercharging air. The first device is capable of interacting with the second device through shape cooperation so that the second cooling device assumes an intermediate retaining position on the first cooling device, and the first device can be automatically locked onto the second device by elastic fitting so that the second device assumes a final locked position on the first device.

Abstract: There are provided a vehicle body, a seat disposed above the vehicle body, a rechargeable battery disposed below the seat, an electric power management device disposed below the seat and behind the rechargeable battery, and a fuel cell disposed below the seat and behind the electric power management device.

Abstract: In a vehicle which comprises an electric motor to drive front wheels and/or rear wheels of the vehicle, a battery to supply an electric power to the electric motor, a dash panel partitioning a vehicle-inside space from a vehicle-front side space located in front of the vehicle-inside space, a floor panel partitioning the vehicle-inside space from a vehicle outside located below the vehicle-inside space, and a tunnel portion provided at the floor panel so as to project upwardly toward an inside of the vehicle-inside space, the battery is arranged so that a front-side part thereof is positioned in front of the dash panel and a rear-side part thereof is positioned inside of the tunnel portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Accordingly, an appropriate weight balance of the vehicle between front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle can be provided.

Abstract: The motive power of a hybrid vehicle is the driving power of a gasoline engine, the electric power produced by a generator coupled to the engine, and the electric power obtained by conversion from kinetic energy into electric energy through a regeneration brake during deceleration. Also, an electric vehicle uses the electric power of a battery as its motive power by converting kinetic energy into electric energy through a regeneration brake during deceleration and storing the electric energy. However, the regenerated energy is little. While keeping intact the damping effect of shock absorbers conventionally mounted on the suspension of a vehicle, an oil pump function is added. The electric power produced by storing, in an accumulator, oil pressure-fed from the shock absorbers, driving a hydraulic motor under increased oil pressure, driving a generator coupled to the hydraulic motor is used as part of the motive power.

Abstract: An all terrain endless track vehicle of the present invention comprises a front suspension assembly and a rear endless track assembly supported by a chassis. The front suspension assembly is engageable with the ground by a steerable set of skis or wheels. The endless track assembly supports an engine, transmission and first and second shock absorbers. The first shock absorber connects to the endless track assembly forward of the engine, while the second shock absorber connects to the endless track assembly rearward of the engine. A rear swing arm supports a rearwardly positioned main driver mechanically linked to the transmission by way of a chain or belt. A plurality of idler wheels disposed on the endless track assembly, along with the main driver, define an endless track contour. An endless track or belt disposes on the plurality of idler wheels and the main driver. The engine, transmission, and shock absorbers are each contained within the contour of the endless track.

Abstract: A travelling control apparatus 1 includes: rotational speed ratio detection units 2 configured to output signals S1, S2 of respective rotational speeds of front and rear wheels; a rotational speed ratio calculation measure 3 for calculating data Da of a rotational speed ratio of the wheels from the signals S1, S2; a rotational speed ratio sort measure 4 for sorting the data Da into data D1 within a range of a set range T1 and data D2 out of the range; a reference data generation measure 5 for averaging the data D1 and generating an average value thereof as reference data Ds; and a slip determination measure 6 for comparing data Da1 of the rotational speed ratio of the wheels with the reference data Ds, and in a case of the data Da1 being out of a set range T2, for determining that one of the wheels is slipping.

Abstract: A branch joint is provided at the rear portion of an exhaust pipe. Second exhaust pipes with a small diameter arranged one above the other are branched at a position forward of an intersecting position P with a pivot plate. The second exhaust pipes are made to intersect the inside of the pivot plate. The gap between the pivot plate and the engine can be narrowed while ensuring a smooth exhaust. The exhaust path lengths of the second exhaust pipes are made to be offset from each other so as not to be the integral multiple of the wavelength of the exhaust sound in the operating area. This allows exhaust gases to interfere with each other in the muffler. Thus, the exhaust sound can be reduced and the muffler can be downsized. This allows for the slimming of the vehicle body without lowering the output of the engine.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a vehicle seat has a belt with a shoulder-belt portion extending diagonally across the seat between an upper portion of first side of the seat and a lower portion of a second side of the seat. An upper belt guide is mounted adjacent to the upper first side of the seat and engages the shoulder-belt to allow it to slide along the guide during belt retraction and extension. A safety sensor/control system generates a signal indicating a condition requiring improved occupant restraint in the seat. A guide actuator is activated in response to the safety sensor/control system signal and displaces the upper belt guide in a transverse direction relative to the seat. The displacement of the guide moves the shoulder-belt portion closer to the neck and/or shoulder of the seat occupant to more securely restrain the occupant.

Abstract: A system for disabling the operation of a vehicle when a driver of a vehicle is seated in a vehicle seat. The system includes an alcohol detection sensor configured to be contacted by the driver and to generate a detection signal based on contact between the driver and the detection sensor. The system also includes a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant and a sensing circuit configured to provide a sensing signal to the sensing electrode. A controller is provided to detect a change in the detection signal resulting from contact between the driver and the detection sensor. The controller is configured to disable the vehicle when either the blood alcohol concentration of the driver of the vehicle exceeds a threshold or the controller does not detect a change in the detection signal resulting from contact of the driver with the detection sensor.

Abstract: A golf cart safety apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention reduces the incidence of injured protruding limbs A safety pedal is provided that prevents the golf cart from operating unless engaged. The safety pedal comprises a hinge, a “kill switch”, and a platform upon which an occupant's foot can rest. The hinge is secured to a floor of the golf cart and the platform. The “kill switch”, which prevents the golf cart from operating unless depressed, is operably associated with the platform. Because the foot of the occupant must engage the safety pedal in order to disable the “kill switch”, the occupant's leg must be properly positioned inside the golf cart. Thus, a golf cart safety apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention reduces the incidences of golf cart injuries.

Abstract: An operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle comprises a fixed pedal support member on the side of a dash panel, a swing pedal support member, a pedal body supported at the swing pedal support member via a first pivotal axis, a holding portion to allow a downward move of the first pivotal axis only in case the rotational lever rotates, and a pressing portion provided at the rotational lever so as to press down the swing pedal support member. The pressing portion is positioned in front of the second pivotal axis. Accordingly, the operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle equipped with a means mechanism for compulsively moving down the pedal at the vehicle frontal collision, which can be made compact and simple with a high reliability, can be provided.

Abstract: A vehicle drive unit includes a motor as a power source, a power control unit supported by a vehicle body, and a three-phase cable that connects the power control unit and the motor. A first end portion of the three-phase cable is connected to the power control unit toward the rear of the vehicle in a direction orthogonal to a rotary axis of the motor, a second end portion of the three-phase cable is connected to the motor toward the front of the vehicle in the orthogonal direction, and a U-shaped swing absorber that is curved to extend in the orthogonal direction is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion of the three-phase cable.

Abstract: A front cross frame portion (12) is connected to a front cross member (27) provided at a connecting portion (26) between a front floor (6) and a vertical wall portion (7). A rear cross frame portion (13) is fixed to a rear cross member (28) extending along a lower surface side of a rear floor (8) in a vehicle width direction above a differential (16). Thereby, the longitudinal length of a subframe (9) is shortened, the stiffness of the subframe (9) is increased, and the space behind the rear cross frame portion (13) is increased.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine, in particular a construction machine and preferably a wheel loader or dumper, comprising a pump, an energy accumulator connected with the pump, which includes a first space which is gas-filled and which includes a second space which is designed such that in operation of the pump it is filled by a fluid delivered by means of the pump, wherein the gas contained in the first space is compressed, and comprising a hydraulic motor to be driven by means of the energy accumulator, wherein the energy accumulator is designed such that the ratio of the volume of the first space with fully loaded second space to the volume of the first space with non-loaded second space is >0.5.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power steering system comprising: a control valve disposed in the steering mechanism to selectably supply a working liquid supplied from a first pump or a second pump to a pair of pressure chambers of a power cylinder providing a steering force for at least one steered wheel in accordance with a rotational steering operation of a steering wheel; a first switching valve disposed between the first pump and the control valve to switch a communication and an interruption of the working liquid between the first pump and the control valve; and a second switching valve disposed between the second pump and the control valve to switch the communication and the interruption of the working liquid between the second pump and the control valve, a communication state and an interruption state being selectably formed in the second switching valve when the first switching valve is in the communication state.

Abstract: Ring-shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker, where said membrane comprises two or more dome-shaped annulus concentrically arranged around a central portion through which an imaginary axis of symmetry passes, where an outer periphery of said membrane is suitable to be attached to a surround; where the central portion is attached to a tower, which again is fastened to the loudspeakers driver, wherein the angle between a plane being perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and the attachment of the membrane to the surround resp. the tower is in the interval 0° to 40°, most preferred around 30°.

Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a horn waveguide having a throat and a waveguide surface; an acoustic radiator assembly, located at the throat of the waveguide, comprising a diaphragm having a rigid acoustically radiating surface shaped as a section from a toroidal surface for generating acoustic wavefronts, the waveguide surface being adapted to match the shape of the wavefronts coming from the assembly.

Abstract: Acoustic enclosure for mounting loudspeakers (1) that contains a certain number of curved-profile guides (8) arranged radially beside one another at a specific distance and forming a ring (7), between which the sound from the loudspeaker is propagated from the central space (6) to the outer ring (9), which it enters obliquely as a result of the curvature of the guides. Since said ring (9) contains no elements against which the sound can be reflected back into the conduits, it works like a closed circuit or track that the sound passes through until it is exhausted, keeping the inner face of the membrane of the loudspeaker free of disturbances that, in conventional enclosures, are caused by the reflected sound when it hits the membrane during the lifetime of the sound, thereby eliminating the distortion and alterations of the natural response linearity of the loudspeaker from this source.

Abstract: A rigid removable case for a portable electronic device may have an acoustic isolation mechanism between the rigid removable case and an acoustic component on the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be a compressible component that may provide an air seal between an interior surface of the removable case and an exterior surface of the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be constructed of several different materials and several different manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A panel assembly for use in any number of different applications, including a variety of vehicle applications, that reduces noise or vibrations, provides thermal insulation, and/or improves structural integrity. According to an exemplary embodiment, the panel assembly includes a main panel made from a metal, one or more sound damping patches also made from a metal, and an adhesive layer that joins the patches to the main panel in a constrained layer construction. The sound damping patches may include one or more forming features, which are designed to improve the formability of the panel assembly without significantly impairing its sound damping characteristics. There are different types of forming features, including internal forming features (e.g., openings, holes, slits, slots, etc.) located within the interior of the patch and external forming features (e.g., projections, fingers, recesses, waveforms, etc.) located along the perimeter of the patch.

Abstract: A gas-turbine exhaust cone has an outer wall with a plurality of recesses, a honeycomb-structured layer arranged at the inside of the outer wall and extending along said inside of the outer wall, an inner wall connected to the honeycomb structure and extending essentially parallel to the outer wall, and at least one annular chamber centered on a central axis and adjoining the inner wall. The inner wall has passage recesses connecting the area of the honeycomb structure to the annular chamber, with the annular chamber being subdivided in the circumferential direction by at least one partition wall into several chambers. The partition wall is made from a sheetmetal-like material and has a plurality of raised and/or recessed areas in a uniform arrangement formed by shaping of the sheetmetal-like material.

Abstract: A tube for moving gas between an entry end into which gas is introduced and an exit end through which gas exits the tube, the tube comprising a plurality of adjoining adjacent? guides, each guide comprising an outer half of a smoothly-curved, modified torus, and an outer rigid tube wall. Each guide forms an internal cavity with a cavity mouth opening into an inner portion of the tube, the cavities shaped such that a vortex forms within each of the cavities as gas passes through the tube, and the flow of fluid in the tube is unidirectional and axial from the entry end to the exit end.

Abstract: The expandable chamber acoustic silencer may be installed at the inlet or outlet of virtually any mechanism that processes air or other gas flow therethrough, to reduce the audible output of the gas flow. The silencer may be used to reduce the noise produced in an air conditioning system, in the inlet or outlet side of an air compressor, or as a muffler for an internal combustion engine, among other applications. The device includes an expansion chamber having adjustable walls driven by actuators installed within the walls to adjust the cross-sectional area of the chamber, with a portion of the walls being formed of a flexible or resilient material to enable such expansion and retraction. One or more microphones are installed at the outlet and/or inlet ends of the silencer and communicate with a controller that operates the actuators in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: Methods for vibration and acoustic abatement. The methods comprise providing a substrate with a composite layer deposited thereon, the substrate receiving a vibration energy sufficient to provide at least one bending wave therein, and converting at least a portion of the vibration energy sufficient to cause the at least one bending wave to at least one shear wave in at least a portion of the composite layer. The composite layer comprises an elastomeric polymer matrix comprising carbon nano tubes dispersed or distributed therein. Articles with the composite layer comprising carbon nano tubes disposed thereon are also disclosed and described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rescue apparatus to be lowered from buildings and other elevated locations. The invention includes an enclosure defining an interior space configured for receiving an individual, a harness, and one or more cable securements. The enclosure includes a bottom surface, a sidewall having an internal surface and an external surface, and a closure mechanism coupled to the sidewall and configured for at least partially isolating the interior space from a surrounding environment. In another aspect, the invention relates to a rescue apparatus including a harness assembly and a cable attached thereto.